Song Yi

Chapter 406 Eight Assistant Ministers
Wang Gui bowed and said: "Empress Dowager, now that the new emperor is on the throne, it is not what it used to be. The new emperor's mentor should be chosen elsewhere. The empress dowager will decide who will be in charge."

Shibao is the emperor's teacher.The empress dowager glanced at the crowd and said, "According to what you see, who should be more appropriate?"

Cai Que hurriedly interjected: "Lu Dian and Cai Bian have always been the teachers and guardians of the Yan'an County King. They work hard, teach well, and are familiar with the new emperor's temperament. Why don't they continue to serve."

Wang Gui's brows frowned. Although Lu Dian and Cai Bian were great writers in the world, they were strong supporters of the reform. If they were allowed to continue to serve as the new emperor's guardians, there would be no guarantee that there would not be a second Song dynasty. Shenzong.What he meant by saying this was to replace the two, so as not to affect the growth of the new emperor. Just as he was about to make an admonition, the empress dowager had already said: "It turns out that the king of Yan'an County is the prince, and it is very good to have him as a teacher. Now Now that he is enthroned as the emperor, the teacher should make some adjustments according to the changes, and choose a more suitable person. Wang Aiqing, since you suggested it, is there any suitable sponsor?"

Wang Gui was waiting for the Queen Mother's words, and hurriedly bowed and said: "The old minister thinks that Zhao Yanruo, a direct scholar of the Privy Council, and Fu Yaoyu, the censor in the Yingzong Palace, are worthy of this position."

Zhao Yanruo, a direct scholar of the Privy Council, is a typical nerd, who claims to read all books, and is very resistant to reforms, and is a conservative.This Fu Yaoyu was educated and rich, and because he opposed the reform, he was demoted from Beijing to work in various states and counties.Both of Wang Gui's sponsors are conservatives, the purpose is to keep the new emperor away from reform and innovation since childhood, so as to keep the ancestor's law unchanged.

Cai Que didn't know why, and was about to object, the empress dowager nodded and said: "The Ai family thinks it is appropriate for the person recommended by Wang Aiqing, so let's appoint the two of them. In addition, as auxiliary ministers, all Aiqing should take time to invest in charity at any time. The church understands Xindi's studies and teaches what he has learned."

The seven people hurriedly bowed and agreed.Cai Que heard that the Empress Dowager made a decision without hesitation, and felt a chill in his heart, feeling that the road of reform and innovation might have come to an end.

The Empress Dowager said warmly to Zhao Xu who was outside the embroidered curtain: "Xu'er, I haven't met the eight ministers yet!"

Cai Que and others couldn't help being surprised when they heard this. There were only seven of them, but the empress dowager said eight.And above the court, Du Wenhao is probably the only one who can be counted as a minister.

Cai Que reacted quickly, and immediately bowed and said: "Congratulations to General Du for being promoted to a minister! General Du wiped out [-] Tubo troops with [-] soldiers in the battle of Xishan. This time, he has solved a major treason case in one fell swoop, and he has made great achievements, but he is actually a pillar of the country, and he should be appointed as the prime minister and assist the new emperor!"

Everyone naturally reacted and seconded the proposal together.

The Empress Dowager nodded and smiled: "What you said is very true.——Du Aiqing stepped forward to accept the seal!"

Du Wenhao hurriedly pulled up his robe and knelt down.

"You are also the commander of the three government offices, and a part-time job is not as good as a full-time job. Aijia will appoint you as the inspector of the three government offices and command the three government offices!"

In the Song Dynasty, the three yamen were in charge of the soldiers and horses of the whole country, and all of them were inspected, that is, the commander-in-chief of the three armies, with great power.Before Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin and Chen Qiao's mutiny, he served as the inspector of the post Zhou Dynasty. Later, after Huang Pao joined the establishment of the Great Song Dynasty, he deduced from his own experience of successful rebellion and found that the post of inspector was too powerful and must be guarded against. So although the position was retained, no one was appointed to hold it, leaving him vacant.Later, this vacant position was simply revoked, and the three offices were divided into three, each of which was commanded and responsible by each of them, and each was responsible to the emperor.In order to achieve the purpose of dividing troops.

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager Gao Taotao reset this position and awarded him to her lover Du Wenhao.

Du Wenhao kowtowed and said: "My minister leads the decree, thank you Queen Mother!" Then he lifted up his robe and stood on one side.

The empress dowager glanced at the astonished Cai Que and the others, and said: "From now on, all the inspection ranks will be designated as the second rank, and they will be listed as the ministers, and they will be in the military and political affairs at the same border. I hope that all the nobles will work together to support you. The new emperor!"

Wang Gui, Cai Que and others agreed in unison, and then congratulated Du Wenhao.

Cai Que and others never imagined that after the empress dowager decided to listen to the government behind the curtain, the first imperial decree was to promote Du Wenhao, an imperial physician, and they couldn't help thinking that Du Wenhao was only a fourth-rank official before. There are many people with greater merit and ability for Wen Hao, but no one has been able to rise to the top like this. Not only did he serve as the commander of the three government offices, but he was also restored to the post of inspector of the capital, and his rank was improved. , and added it to the list of Zai Zhi.Jumping directly from a fourth-rank official to the position of prime minister, it can be seen that the empress dowager treats him extraordinarily well, and he must not be underestimated in the future.

Wang Gui was happy in his heart, thinking that his old eyes didn't look faint, and he was a good person, so he found such a fast-paced son-in-law for his precious daughter.Don't worry about it later.

The Empress Dowager said to the crowd: "Before the death of the late Emperor, I heard that Du Aiqing defeated the many with the few and wiped out the Tubo Xishan army. All the concubines toasted and drank, and the late emperor praised Du Aiqing for being familiar with the art of war and leading the army well. Although arrogance of military power is punishable according to the law, it will be of great use in the future, so the Ai family asked him to lead the three yamen, which was actually the late emperor's will. "

Du Wenhao didn't expect that there was such an inside story, he thought the emperor was just annoyed, but he didn't expect to praise him so much, he was moved and bowed his head.

The Empress Dowager said again: "The late emperor once inquired about Du Aiqing's strategy for governing the country, and told the Ai family that Du Aiqing had many novel ideas in governing the country. It made sense, so the late emperor appointed him as the co-manager of Jingjiang Mansion in Chengdu. Here, he cleaned up the bandits, tidied up the place, relieved disasters and pacified the people, and encouraged farmers to promote business. Many measures were highly praised by the late emperor. Let him understand the sentiments of the people, familiarize himself with local government affairs, and prepare for the future. It is a pity that the late emperor could not wait for Du Aiqing to make great achievements, so..."

Du Wenhao's heart was agitated, facing the main hall of Funing where Song Shenzong's coffin was parked, he lifted his robe and knelt down, weeping: "I am so humble, to be so favored by the Holy One, to be smashed to pieces, to live up to the grace of the Holy One!"

After finishing speaking, he knocked his head a few times and fell to the ground crying.

Wang Gui also lifted his robe and knelt down, facing the main hall of Funing and kowtowed.However, as the prime minister, Wang Gui knelt down, and Cai Que and others naturally followed suit.

The Empress Dowager looked at Du Wenhao lovingly, and said slowly: "All my loves, please get up. Xu'er, I have met the eight ministers."

Zhao Xu bowed and said: "The emperor's grandson receives the decree." After hesitating for a moment, he suddenly said: "Emperor's grandmother, the emperor's grandson has a request, I don't know whether to say it or not."

The Empress Dowager said: "Speak."

"The emperor's grandson heard what the emperor's grandmother said about General Du's various abilities, and he admired him in his heart. He wants to ask him to be the emperor's grandson's tutor. I wonder if it is possible?"

The Empress Dowager was slightly taken aback, then glanced at Du Wenhao: "Du Aiqing, what do you think?"

Du Wenhao's eyes were still red, he sucked his nose, and he was still grateful for Song Shenzong's kindness to him. The emperor had too much knowledge, and a hot current surged in his heart, so he made up his mind to train this little emperor into a new type of emperor with modern knowledge, so as to save the poor and weak Song Dynasty.Immediately stepped forward and bowed: "I am willing! I will do my best to protect the new emperor."

The empress dowager looked happy and nodded slowly: "Even so, there will be Aiqing Lau Du."

A smug smile appeared on the corner of Zhao Xu's mouth, he gave Du Wenhao a look, stepped forward two steps to the front of the hall, cupped his hands and said, "Xu'er has seen all the ministers!"

Panicked, several ministers hurriedly lifted their robes and fell to their knees.Wang Gui took the lead in singing and said: "Your servant Zuo Pushe, Wang Gui, the servant of the door, kowtow to the Holy One!" He bowed three times and kowtowed nine times respectfully.

Cai Que also said: "You servant shot, Zhongshu servant Cai Que, kowtow to the Holy One!"

The rest of them also rolled their names one by one, introduced themselves, and kowtowed.

Although Zhao Xu has not yet held the enthronement ceremony and is not yet the new emperor, just like the new leader of a unit, the organization department has already held a meeting to discuss it, and the news has spread. Even if there is no official announcement, everyone will call him the director , Dean, those who listen are naturally very comfortable.

Zhao Xu was only ten years old, and it was the first time he saw someone bowing three times and kowtowing nine times to him. It was very new, and most of them were old men with white beards, so he couldn't help giggling.

The empress dowager snorted coldly behind the curtain, and said, "Xu'er, your father, great-grandfather and empress are still around, how can you laugh here?"

Zhao Xu was shocked, turned around and knelt down and kowtowed: "The emperor knows his mistake, please punish the empress dowager."

The new emperor was newly established, and the empress dowager didn't want to sweep his face too much, so she said lightly: "In the future, as the king of a country, you must be very cautious in your behavior and dealing with things, and be a benevolent person like your emperor Gaozu Emperor Renzong. Emperor. Get up!"

Cai Que and the others listened to what she taught the emperor and grandson, and they didn't mention Emperor Yingzong, that was her husband. It's okay to be self-effacing, but they didn't mention Song Shenzong, but instead mentioned Song Renzong decades ago. Obviously, The empress dowager didn't want Zhao Xu to learn from the enterprising Song Shenzong when she became emperor at all, but asked him to learn from Song Renzong, the obedient, frugal, benevolent, generous and conservative monarch, which made her heart cold.

Zhao Xu got up slowly, supported him with both hands, and said in a childlike voice, "Dear dears, flat... Hey, Du Aiqing, all of you are welcome to bow down and pay respects..., you have met me, why are you standing there?" move?"

Zhao Xu has not ascended the throne yet, strictly speaking he cannot call himself "Zhen".So after hesitating for a moment, he simply used the word me.

Du Wenhao saw that Zhao Xu was so arrogant at such a young age, he felt angry in his heart, smiled lightly, cupped his hands and said: "If Hao is only a subject, he should be like them, kneel down and perform the royal ceremony. , The so-called dignity of the teacher, the teacher bowing down to his disciples, does not conform to the Confucian etiquette of respecting teachers. Therefore, Hao begs the Holy Majesty, from now on, he will be exempted from kneeling and prostrating, so as to reflect the emperor's respect for Confucianism."

Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment, then pointed to Cai Bian who was kneeling on the ground and said, "He was also my teacher, why did he kneel?"

"The Empress Dowager has just changed her tutor. Mrs. Cai is no longer the tutor of the Holy Majesty, so it is natural for him to honor the emperor and his ministers. However, the so-called one-day teacher is a lifetime..., ahem, since Cai Bian has been the Holy Majesty's tutor Teacher Bao, the sage should not accept his prostration ceremony. Respecting teachers and teaching is related to the rise and fall of a country. The sage Xunzi said: "The country will prosper, and the teacher must be respected; if the teacher is respected, the law will survive." If the country is going to decline, the teacher will be despised and the teacher will be despised; if the teacher is despised and the teacher will be despised, people will have happiness; if people have quickness, the law will be bad.' The Holy One was the king of a country at the beginning. If he does not respect teachers and teach now, it is not a good thing for the country. !"

Zhao Xu didn't expect that Du Wenhao would accuse him mercilessly, and he quoted the words of the sage Xunzi. He blushed and didn't know how to refute for a moment, but he was naturally reckless, but he was not someone who would give in easily. He rolled his eyes and said, "You I mentioned the sage Xunzi, and I asked him for advice. Xunzi said: "The son of heaven is the most powerful and invincible in the world. He faces the world from the south and listens to the world. All the people of the living and the people should vibrate and obey, so as to change and obey them."——What's the explanation? "

Du Wenhao could still understand these few words, and he was even more unhappy to hear his words. He held back his breath and said slowly: "This means that the king is the son of heaven, the king is in the world, and the king is the leader of the ministers. However, the Holy Majesty You should also have heard another sentence from Xunzi: "A ruler and a teacher are the foundation of governance. Without a ruler and a teacher, governance is bad.""

Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment, rolled his eyes, and said, "Shibao Du, the Four Books and Five Classics, which one are you going to teach me?"

Seeing his expression, Du Wenhao frowned unconsciously, remembering his mischievous actions in the past.Just now I just agreed to be the emperor's teacher impulsively. Now that I think it's not easy to be the emperor's teacher, I can't be more strict, and I feel a little regretful. Hearing what he said, I happened to take advantage of the slope to go down the donkey, and said lightly: "Only the world can learn. It’s not just the four books and five classics. What the sage learned, the sages’ classics must be thoroughly familiar with, but the sage is the king of a country, so he has to study extensively, and he needs to learn too much. The sage chose Hao as his teacher, presumably not I like Zhong Hao's attainments in the Four Books and Five Classics. If so, not to mention Sima Guang and other well-educated Confucians, even ordinary private school teachers, Hao can't compare. Therefore, Hao asked to resign from the post of tutor. Since Hao is not the tutor of the Holy One Therefore, it is natural to perform the rituals of the emperor and his ministers. ——All the ministers and three yamen will be inspected, and the imperial doctor Du Wenhao will kowtow to the Holy Majesty!"

After all, he slowly lifted his robe and was about to kneel down.

The reason why Zhao Xu asked Du Wenhao to be his teacher was just that the Empress Dowager was grateful for her appointment of Du Wenhao as the new emperor. Hearing that the Empress Dowager praised Du Wenhao so much, she casually proposed it to flatter the Empress Dowager.Hearing that Du Wenhao was going to resign, not only did the flattery not go well, but it made the empress dowager feel that she was too willful and naughty, and she left the teacher in anger, which would be self-defeating.

He peeked at the empress dowager in the embroidered curtain, and seeing her slightly frowning eyebrows, she was obviously very unhappy, and he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. As a child of the royal family, he has heard a lot about the ancient royal affairs of the previous dynasties, and he knows how many times there were in history. This young gentleman was punished or even abolished because he offended the queen mother who was in charge of politics behind the curtain.The empress dowager praised Du Wenhao so much just now, it was not a joke to annoy the empress dowager, otherwise the throne might be lost!

He reacted quickly, and hurriedly stepped forward to Void to help: "Wait! Du Shibao!"

Du Wenhao lifted his robe before he knelt down, he froze when he heard the words, and looked up at him: "What is the order from the Holy One?"

"Well... Xuer asked the general to be my teacher and protector because the general is knowledgeable and capable of governing the country. This is something that my father, mother, and empress dowager all admired. What the teacher and protector just said about the dignity of teachers It is very true, Xu'er will be enthroned soon, so he should set an example and respect the master. You should not ignore the respect of the teacher with the respect of the emperor. Xu'er knew wrong, from now on, Shibao Du and other teachers will be exempted from bowing down and paying respects."

When Du Wenhao heard that the little emperor had admitted his mistake and spared him from kneeling down to worship in the future, Du Wenhao was taken aback for a moment, looked at the empress dowager behind the embroidered curtain, saw her smiling and nodded slowly towards him, her eyes were full of anticipation, this Then he cupped his hands and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty's words are serious, I thank you for protecting the dignity of the teacher."

At this moment, there were five sounds of cloud panels in the distance.

The Empress Dowager said: "It's five o'clock, and the funeral will be held at dawn. Wang Aiqing, you are in charge of the enthronement before the emperor's coffin, Du Aiqing, you are in charge of security, and the rest of the Qing family will assist you. Everyone hurry up!"

The eight agreed in unison.

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At dawn, Funing Hall.

The coffins of Song Shenzong and Empress Dowager Cao are parked here.

The initiation ceremony began, and the successor emperor, Zhao Xu, took the lead and paid homage to the throne.

Behind him are the Empress Dowager, Prince Yong, Prince Cao and other princes, as well as princes, harem concubines, princesses and other relatives of the emperor.The other important officials of the imperial court stood on the steps outside the hall and on the square, following each other.

When these people saw that the leader was the Sixth Prince Yan'an County King, they all knew that this was the new emperor in the future.

Under the long-sounding chants of the leading officials, perform four prostrations, sacrifice silk, offer wine, and read blessings.I bowed four more times, and then said "cry!" after the leading officer gave an order, and all the royal family wept together.

The leading heir emperor, Zhao Xu, had just turned ten years old after all, he didn't understand anything at all, and his understanding of death was very superficial. After learning that his father had passed away, he wailed with his mother that day. It gradually faded away.It has been more than a month now, and he learned that the new emperor has become the emperor, and he was very happy. This sudden incident made him cry bitterly. He is not an actor, so how can he do it.Howling dryly, he kept pretending to rub, but his eyes rolled around, looking around.The deacon saw it and knew that he was the emperor who was about to succeed him, so how could he dare to say a word.

After finishing the laying ceremony, a large group of relatives and relatives of the emperor followed the official Hu Longlong to the place where the Emperor Daxing lay, and stood facing west.

The deacons removed the curtain and wiped the Zi Palace, that is, dusted the emperor's coffin.The inner deacon set up Longwei, Zhenting, Shenbo Yu, and posthumous treasure Yu on Dan Majesty in His Royal Highness.Then began to worship the ancestors and set up a ceremony to tell the dead.Four more bows, offering sacrifices, bowing again, and then crying loudly with an order.As usual, the successor emperor Zhao Xu rolled his eyes and howled dryly.

Next, the ceremonial officer respectfully invited the heir emperor to come to the two tall coffins made of catalpa wood by Song Shenzong and the empress dowager.Facing west, lead the officials to kneel and play, and invite the spirit driver to proceed.

(End of this chapter)